The Buzz: Pizza Ranch to build two Fox Cities restaurants

Buffet operation known for broasted chicken

Jan. 4, 2013

Written by

Maureen Wallenfang

Post-Crescent staff writer

Pizza Ranch will build two restaurants in the Appleton area within the next three years, and the first is scheduled to break ground next month at N139 Eisenhower Drive in Buchanan, just north of the Anchor Bank at the corner of Eisenhower and Calumet Street.

The second will be in a spot to be determined on the north side or near the Fox River Mall.

Pizza Ranch is a Midwestern franchise chain based in Iowa. It has an old west décor and buffet that serves pizza, chicken, salad and dessert.

“We’re known for our broasted chicken,” said local partner Todd Schleh. “It actually should be called Chicken Ranch.”

It’s a good thing it isn’t, however. Pizza Ranch is undoubtedly a better name for a place that partner Jess Wilke describes as “a family oriented restaurant that’s Christian based.”

Fans of Broadway musicals know that the “Chicken Ranch” was a brothel that inspired a musical and movie, “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.”

Schleh and Wilke own the successful Pizza Ranch in Fond du Lac. In their Appleton-area venture, they’re joined by three more partners. According to the Pizza Ranch website, costs for building a new location range from $1.3 million to $2.3 million.

Schleh said if construction begins as planned Feb. 1, the restaurant can be open in June.

Neenah customer Jerry Schroeder was happy to hear that the chain is finally building in the area. He’s been driving down to the Fond du Lac location for a long time. “The atmosphere is great,” he said. “We go down there for pizza every two months. We make a special trip. We wouldn’t go to Fond du Lac for pizza if it wasn’t something nice.”